The Inheritance is many stories in one book, all interconnected, but each one different. The three daughters each had very different experiences with their father and ended up in very different places in life. But the overarching story is that of their grandmother, which is the story of the winery and is rooted in WWII, whereas the girls' stories are more modern. Through the stories, the reader learns about the characters of the girls and especially the iron will of the grandmother, who was my favorite character. The nicest thing about this book is (spoiler alert), but I'm sure anyone beginning the book could figure it out, is there are happy endings all around. Although life probably doesn't happen this way, it is a perfect ending for this book.

When conflict photographer Jackson Swann passes away, his three estranged daughters find themselves brought together at his vineyard for the reading of his will. JoAnne Ross’s novel, The Inheritance, explores the lives of Tess, a renowned writer and actress; Charlotte, a Southern socialite, trapped in an unhappy marriage; and Natalie, Jackson’s French daughter from a long-term affair, who grew up amidst the vineyard’s rich history.

The sisters come together reluctantly and find themselves captivated by the enchanting legacy of their grandmother—a former WWII Resistance fighter in France—and her love for a wounded American soldier who influenced the fate of their family.

For readers intrigued by wine culture and WWII history, The Inheritance offers glimpses into both, adding depth to its family drama. However, the novel fell short for me. This wasn’t my genre; I’m not a big fan of Women’s Fiction. I’m a woman, and I like fiction, but this felt more like chick lit to me. It was silly and contrived in parts. I should have known I wouldn’t love it… many of her books are “bodice-rippers” with men displaying unnatural abs on the cover. Ugh.

For readers who enjoy light-hearted family dramas and are drawn to narratives set amidst vineyards and historical legacies, The Inheritance offers a moderate diversion, earning it a tepid 3-star rating.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed here are my own

A well written dual timeline family drama that takes you all the way back to World War II. I'm very picky with my historical romance preferences, so this one was just okay. However, for someone who loves the World War II period setting you'll adore this one! Ross is a fantastic author and I look forward to her future works.

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade, and JoAnn Ross. ❤️

"The Inheritance" is an emotional story of love, failure, courage, starting over, family, friendship, and forgiveness.

It starts off slowly and builds up to the emotional pay-off. This is a character driven story, with little external conflict. But oh, there's plenty of internal conflict. An absent father, unknown relatives, major life changes, even a love story - Ross slowly spins a story that lures you in. At heart, the story is about change. Life is ever-changing and change can be good, bad, or both simultaneously. It's how we handle it that matters.

Tess, Charlotte, and Natalie are all engaging women who are struggling with the upheavals to their lives. It's a shock finding out you have siblings, and then to be expected to spend time together, work together and live together. Their struggles were relatable as they dealt with existing problems in their lives, newfound sisters, a grandmother, career changes, and love interests. I was surprised to find that I wanted more of the story to be set in WWII. I'm not usually a fan is historical stories, with some exceptions, but I enjoyed the snippets of the story set during the war. The epilogue was, not to my liking. I can't say too much or I'll reveal spoilers but it was sappier than I personally like. Other readers may love it.

"The Inheritance" was sweet, weepy, and engaging. If family drama is your jam, pick up "The Inheritance".

A wonderful romance that will leave you wanting more! I loved every aspect of this book and I highly recommend it!

A fun, quick read. I enjoyed all of the characters and the look back on the grandmother's life during the war in France. It was a sweet book.

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed all of the family drama. Well written and a quick read. I would recommend.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

The Inheritance is the type of book I love - women's fiction with elements of romance, some dual timeline storytelling with flashbacks to a WWII French heroine, a beautiful setting, family secrets, good pacing, and an adorable dog. At the same time, it didn't wow me - it was a gentle, easy read but I wished we learned more about Madeline and Robert. Honestly, I wanted just a bit more out of everything which is hard to explain but I feel like we just skimmed the surface of every facet of the story. All of this to say, I would recommend it - it wasn't a bad book, I just worry it might not stick with me.

Good read for family drama fans. Lovely setting, captivating though predictable plot. I sympathized with each sister -- three different mothers, gads!

When Jackson Swann dies, he leave behind 3 daughters each born to a different mother, who will inherit a vineyard under certain conditions. I initially thought the book would be about the sisters and the development of their relationship but also woven through the story is the back story of their grandmother and her role during WWII. The grandmother's story is both told in flashback and also in her retelling in an evening story hour. - I think it would have worked better in only the nightly story. I think more depth could have been devoted to the sisters relationship and the life of her their father, and not the story of the grandparents. I'm rounding up from 3.5 stars

The Inheritance by JoAnn Ross
Source: NetGalley, HQN Books, and Purchase
Rating: 5 stars

The Bottom Line: WOOOOO! Y’all it is a hot minute into this new year, and I am already on my second five-star review! The Inheritance is everything – and I mean everything - I love in fiction! This book has a family saga, a beautiful setting in Oregonian wine country, and a bit of the past crashing into the present. Every element is beautifully blended together to create a truly excellent read.

When three very different women are brought together in the wake of their father’s death, they are thrown curve ball after curve ball, and each must decide what the future is going to look like in the face of these new changes and information. For Charlotte change means reclaiming her life and career she gave up for her selfish husband, for Natalie, change means finally grabbing a hold of what she has loved for a decade, and for Tess, change means letting go of her anger and accepting the gifts she’s been offered.

I both listened to and read this book (50/50 split). The audio was excellent and I only switched to actually reading when I was too lazy to find my headphones late one night 😊 I zipped through this book as it is totally engrossing and worth every second. What’s more, I can see possibilities for future books thus making this truly fine read into a proper series. A girl can hope!

Beautiful etched characters, the story would be remembered for the way the story of the generations was portrayed. Characters showed great strength which hit me hard. Overall a great read

I love family dramas and it’s even better when there are sisters involved. This one is different because they didn’t know about each other until their father died and had to take care of the farm.

I like how each sister had a very distinct personality and different backgrounds.

If you love family drama novels, this one is for you .

I enjoyed this book very much. For me it was a fast read as I was immersed into the story immediately. I am a big fan of stories about sisters, and this book had a new and interesting take on a group of women who were blood sisters but some who didn't know about the others. My favorite character was the grandmother, and I would have like to have had more stories from her. I am a big fan of historical fiction and I felt this book just touched on the best part of this book. It was a lot more romance than historical fiction, much more set in current times than in the past. All that said, I enjoyed learning about each of the sisters and watching their relationship develop. I also missed getting to know Jackson, their father, a bit more. He was an interesting character but died far too soon, in my opinion! I would recommend this book but to my historical fiction fans, this one just touches on World War II, you can find deeper, more full stories on that elsewhere.

An enjoyable piece of women’s fiction, coupled with historical fiction. Half-sisters Tess, Charlotte and Natalie were summoned to a reading of the Will of their late father, Jackson Swann, a famous war and crisis photographer. Each woman had a very different relationship with their father, as one is unaware of the half sisters until the Will was to be read. On a vineyard in Oregon, they meet their grandmother, who has history to relate as part of the Maquis, the French resistance. All in all, a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Three sister, who don’t know each other, meet.
The only thing they have in common is that they share the same father, who just died.
Will they find a family in each other? Or will their pasts drive them apart?
I really like it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, the cover of this book really fooled me and has more of a disconnect than any book I’ve seen in a long time. It screams historical fiction with a touch of contemporary, but the actual story is the reverse. It’s a contemporary story with a dash of historical fiction.

Jackson “Jack” Swann is a conflict photographer. He goes anywhere the world is in crisis/chaos. It’s been a great profession, however with little time, or energy, for meaningful relationships. The father of three daughters, each by a different woman, has come home to his family’s Oregon vineyard to die. Cancer is ravaging his body.

He changes his will so that the three half-sisters at least get to meet one time, and so the family business remains in the family. He hopes.

Jack’s oldest daughter is Tess. He was married to her mother for a short time. He had bailed before she got to know him and she refers to him only as “the sperm donor.” A former child TV star (think Patty Duke), Tess is now a bestselling author of young adult books. She pissed at the sperm donor as now she feels she has lost him all over again. With a terrifying case of writer’s block, Tess thinks a trip to Oregon might be just what she needs to shake the cobwebs loose. She know about Charlotte, but has idea that Natalia exists.

Charlotte is the middle child, well woman now. Raised in Southern high society, Charlotte has a passion for interior design, which Jack encouraged. However, her mother has eroded her confidence and she retreats into being the perfect wife for her politician husband, but it seems he also belittles everything she tries to do. Bad news usually comes in threes, but for Charlotte, two were a disaster. She learns about Jack’s death on the same day she learns her husband is cheating on her. And to top that off, she has no inkling that she has two sisters.

The youngest, Natalia, is the one who knows Jack the best. Her mother captured more of Jack’s heart than any other woman. Natalia has even inherited his talent for photography. She is aware of Tess and Charlotte, but doesn’t know if they know about her.

Not only Jack’s daughters inherited the vineyard, they also inherited a grandmother. Rocked by her only son’s death, she eagerly awaits the girls’ arrival so that she can get to know them. The historical fiction
comes in with Grandmother Madeleine. She and her husband were French Resistance fighters during WWII.
“The Inheritance” is an interesting novel about families and receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
Well written, nicely plotted romance novels without much history.
Likeable characters who are nicely developed. The resolution was not give enough attention and was totally predictable.

‘The Inheritance’ by JoAnn Ross was very enjoyable to read. It combines my favorite themes of historical fiction and romance.
Happy Reading!

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher ~ Thank you ~ !! This is my honest and personal review.